Young Kiwi blitzes Aussies to win Oceania title

Christchurch triathlete Jos Hoetjes has spectacularly won the Oceania U19 Triathlon Championships with a heady race on the Gold Coast this afternoon.

The teenage Kiwi star simply ran away from a field of mainly Australians and Kiwis, leaving the best green and gold triathletes in his wake as he picked up his second consecutive Australian age group title.

Hoetjes was delighted moments after crossing the finish line.

“I was nervous before the swim as my last two races were not good. But I swam really good well for about tenth out of the water, right on the feet of the leaders.

“The bike was slow with no one working, so I stuck at the front and looked to save my legs for the run. As always there was a big sprint into transition but I managed to run out first and then did first of two laps with one of the Aussies. I was feeling strong and had to tell myself to relax, keep the short strides and quick arms and a good rhythm. When I went they had no answer though, I cleared out to a lead of 1 or 200 metres and won by a good margin.

“This feels so good, to get another title to back up after last year and also to win the Oceania title. This is all the hard work paying off.”

Hoetjes won from Aaron Royal from Australia. No other details are available at this time, full details and results including other New Zealanders will follow in a later report.

Still to come today are the U19 women, U23 men and women and elite men and women’s races.